#SustainableSunday with Mata Traders...

First: Just an FYI that these photos were taken in public before we were ordered to shelter in place.

Next: Just because we are largely stuck inside and self-contained doesn't mean that we can't help others.

We may be restricted to minimal adventures outside of our homes, but if you're anything like me, there is a good chance that you're using your homebound time to clean, refresh, and prepare for sunnier days. That might mean that you are looking for a few new spring pieces to add to your wardrobe, and if you are, I greatly urge you to make intentional choices about those new garments.

My spring wardrobe update this year, has been all about finding multi-functional pieces that were made in fair trade settings using organic fibers, re-claimed fabrics, and with handmade details. With this mission in mind, I turned to a favorite fair trade shop, Mata Traders, to see what was new. I have got to tell you that their current spring collection is probably my favorite collection out of any I've ever seen them create... and we've been partners for about 5 years now... and before we were partners, I worked with them when I was a fashion intern in New York City.

The spring collection has a little bit of everything: unique handmade jewelry, super fun prints, and a plus size range. Everything at Mata Traders, as always, is made in India and Nepal by women, which helps to fight gender inequality and provides quite a bit of empowerment, as the artisans creating these garments are able to earn a fair living wage, have access to healthcare and education, and have independence. This production model also helps to combat child labor since working women are able to afford to send their children to school instead of needing them to go to work to help support their family.

In these photos, I'm wearing a woven cotton maxi dress as a kimono. This piece is from their winter collection, but the earrings, which are from the spring collection made it easy to transition this dress into a new season! It was made using two contrasting prints, which give it a bit of pizazz, and the varying shades of green make it even easier to wear across seasons. I cannot wait to wear it as a dress, paired with sandals on a hot summer day! The "La Luz" earrings were made of thread and brass in a co-op in India and are quickly going to become a go-to accessory in my wardrobe for all seasons. They are light weight, but the thread has a bit of sparkle, which makes them fun conversation pieces!